Pupils at Battlefield Primary got a visitor from the other side of the world when New Zealand MP Lianne Dalziel visited the school’s Nurture Group.

Nurture Groups, usually involving between six and twelve pupils, operate in 58 primary schools across Glasgow, and enable children with social, emotional, and/or behavioural problems to develop good social and emotional skills by addressing these problems in a special group, enabling them to access the curriculum and maximise their achievement potential.

The MP told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘I’ve been very impressed by what I‘ve heard about the groups and with the extent of Nurture Groups in Scotland. Fantastic enthusiasm - a great model.’

Battlefield City Councillor and Convener of the City’s Education Services committee, Bailie Margaret McCafferty, said, ‘It’s been a runaway success. I’m delighted at the support that the project has received from Glasgow City Council.’

Shamim Akhtar, whose seven year-old daughter Habiba Amin is involved in the project, told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘Habiba was very shy and timid. She always seemed to be on the verge of tears. She needed extra help and the group gave her the confidence to speak up. She is very confident now.’

The school also runs the ‘Learning Together’ club, where pupils and their parents borrow reading materials once a week. Shamim added, ‘I am much more confident now, helping Habiba with the techniques I’ve learned at the club.’

Battlefield Primary’s Head Teacher Claire Curry said, ‘We don’t see the groups as a replacement for parenting, but as an extension of parenting. We’re seeing asolutely positive results.’